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Anna Land

PARKED A Novel

Synopsis

Can growing up without love stop someone from finding love?
On a freezing night in December 1975, in a trailer park on the outskirts of the small, southern town of Randolph, the life of six-year-old Teenie Outler is forever changed in a moment of blind rage. Left alone with Jubalee, her cold, resentful grandmother, Teenie Outler searches for love in this touching, realistic, heartbreaking and funny Coming of Age novel. Set in the 1970’s and 80’s, Teenie’s trailer park world is brimming with sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. Resilient and determined, Teenie takes what comfort she can from others while freely giving back what little she has to offer on her way to discover sometimes it’s not blood that makes us family—it’s love.
Parked is the captivating, unforgettable story of a young girl whose path in life is lonely and tragic but also filled with humor, hope, irreplaceable characters and tender moments of happiness.
"This story tugs at the heartstrings and reminds us to remember that we are our own and no one else's; and that family and tradition can only define us if we let them. Fantastic book!" -Christopher M. Beith, author
"If life had a V8 engine, Teenie's foot would be heavy on the gas...PARKED is character driven. You'll find yourself invested in each character…You'll root for them, scream at them, shaking your head, like they can see and hear you." - Patricia Garber, author

Author Biography

Anna Land lives in Memphis, Tennessee with her adorable husband, their six young, blissfully free-spirited children and their three spoiled, clueless dogs. A graduate from the University of Memphis with a love for British Literature, Anna is a former high school creative writing, poetry and literature teacher.
Anna's debut novel, PARKED, has been downloaded over 17,000 times and while it has offended several little church ladies, New Yorkers tend to love it.
Get your copy of PARKED A Novel on Amazon today!
How well do you know the person you married? Do you know what they would do if given the choice between good and evil?
Anna Land’s newest novel, MISTOOK, is a fast-paced thriller, full of suspense, dark secrets, hidden sins, and deeply layered, convincing characters who will stop at nothing to get what they want. MISTOOK will be available on Amazon February 24, 2015!
Comments? Contact Anna at AnnaLandTheWriter@Outlook.com.
Join Anna! Follow Anna Land TheWriter on Facebook and on Twitter @AnnaLandWriter.

Author Insight

Opportunity Knocks

Teenie makes her decisions based on necessity and not on what is morally or ethically sound. That is why she doesn't hesitate to take advantage of an opportunity that presents itself for her to make some much needed cash. Teenie's decision (to chose money over what is morally correct) opens up the door for her to later on accept another "business opportunity" based on necessity rather than morality, with much higher consequences.

Book Excerpt

PARKED A Novel

“We’re out of Snickers.” I lied, quick to take advantage of this opportunity.

“A Milky Way then.”

“Sorry. Outta of Milky Ways, too.” We were fully stocked behind the counter but my plan was spinning into motion. Leaning closer, I whispered, “Got a Marlboro I can sell you for fifty cents.” I’d lifted a pack from Jubalee’s stash a few days before. I’d just started smoking, but I wasn’t very good at it yet.

Ima Jean’s eyes narrowed, almost disappearing above her chubby cheeks as she studied me. “I’ll give you a quarter.” She spoke quickly. “And I need a match.”

I pulled out a pack of matches with four strikes left from my back pocket. I slipped the cigarette and matchbook into her right hand as she placed a cold quarter into my left. Ima Jean stared at me for a second in silent disbelief and then she was gone.

Our deal done, I thought about all of the other kids who, like Ima Jean McClure, were just pretending to be “Goody-goodies.” If I could sell to them I could make a lot of money. I worried though, if Ima Jean told on me, I’d lose my job at the bookstore.

I never should have worried. The next morning, Ima Jean came back and bought another cigarette, and the next day, another one. She bought cigarettes from me every day the following week and once she let a few of her friends in on our secret, I was selling about a pack a week out of the bookstore. At a quarter a pop, that was five bucks a pack. I was never going to have to ask Jubalee for money again.